Plain Township incumbents plan to run on Nov. 5 ballot

All three Plain Township officials up for election in November say they want to continue serving residents.

Trustees David Ferguson and Tom Rybski and fiscal officer Bud Zappitelli will seek to retain their offices on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Ferguson, chairman of the board of trustees, was initially appointed in February 2008 to fill the unexpired term of Don Cameron, who died Jan. 10, 2008.

He was elected in 2009 to serve a full, four-year term.

Ferguson said he decided to run for his second full term because, "I really enjoy serving the community and I believe we're really making a positive impact in some areas, working on the (Plain Township) fire department, roads and cemetery beautification. We're continuing to do a lot of things in the community and I think we work well with the other stakeholders."

Tom Rybski was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Bud Zappitelli in April 2012 and will run for his first full, four-year term as trustee.

"I live being involved and contributing to the community," Rybski said. "I think we've got a great team in place, with the trustees and the staff. We're on a positive trajectory and on sound financial footing."

Zappitelli, who resigned as trustee in April 2012 to apply for the fiscal officer's position, will run to complete former fiscal officer John Brandt's term, which expires in 2016.

Brandt was re-elected to the position in November 2011 but declined to take office in April 2012.

According to the Ohio Revised Code, a person appointed to serve the remainder of an elected township official's term must run in the next regular election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

"Last year I think I added a great deal to the fiscal office, in keeping the tradition of John Brandt, who had a perfect record as town fiscal officer," Zappitelli said. "I went through the transition with him leaving and rebuilt the fiscal office.

"I think we've got it in the right condition and in shape for an outstanding future."

Zappitelli was serving his second term as trustee when he was appointed fiscal officer.